Monday, October 23, 2017

Former scout leader facing child pornography charges

An Ajax man, who previously worked as a volunteer in a scouts organization, is facing six child pornography charges.

Toronto police said they executed a search warrant at a home near Westney Rd. S. and Ravenscroft Rd., north of Kingston Rd. W. on Oct. 19.

Police allege that a man placed an online ad looking to initiate sexual acts with a person. He then allegedly chatted with someone to make arrangements to commit sexual acts on a child.

Police further allege that in the chats, the man sent images of child sexual abuse.

Robert Ratcliffe, 54, was arrested. He has been charged with possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, making child pornography available, distributing child pornography, making child pornography, and making an arrangement to commit sexual interference.

Police said they believe Ratcliffe had close association with children since 2010 through his volunteer work. In his LinkedIn page, he was listed as a former scout leader for Scouts Canada.

The organization spokesperson John Petitti said Ratcliffe served as a volunteer in the organization from September 2010 to August 2014. (more...)